Foreign Minister, Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola delivered Fiji’s national statement at the United Nations Security Council today. The occasion was the Security Council’s debate on peace and security challenges facing the small island developing States. The debate was presided over by New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Murray McCully, serving in New Zealand’s capacity as President of the Security Council for the month of July.

The Fiji Delegation to the 21st Session of the International Seabed Authority, in its national statement at the Authority's Assembly today, emphasized the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. It called for the Authority to play its part faithfully, doing all it can to ensure that humanity's call for "the future we want" is realized.

We have heard today from the Permanent Representatives of Senegal, Peru, Palau, and Sweden and from Remi Parmentier of the Global Ocean Commission. For many of you, what they have told you today is not news. Those of you who have been immersed in these matters for a while, know the health of our oceans and seas is imperilled.